Bad Links?

Other glitches?

Notify Webmaster

What our Readers Are Saying

Letters to the Editor

PTC built by selfless authority volunteers

After reading John Munford's piece entitled, "Mayor slams DAPC board members' bank ties," it's difficult to identify what I felt most. Mostly, I suppose, I felt weariness followed closely by sadness for a formerly great little town that is cart-wheeling gleefully into mediocrity.

Although I don't live, work or own property in Fayette County, I spent almost 10 years working there for the Fayette County Development Authority and had the unexpected bonus of working for the most dedicated, hard-working, selfless community volunteers I have ever met.

Nearly all of them were financially secure, to put it mildly, and could have spent more of their time traveling, playing golf or otherwise enjoying the fruits of their labor.

But this bunch didn't. They gave back to their community in a way that surprised and embarrassed me. Surprised me because I tend to be a bit cynical by nature and embarrassed me because I didn't tend to give so generously of my limited free time as they did.

I initially assumed that this "volunteerism" would be built upon a foundation of self-interest. How could they benefit their businesses or themselves by "volunteering" their time?

That was not only NOT the case, I actually witnessed my board members quietly block some who wanted to "serve" on my board in order to get at the names of new businesses coming to Fayette County so they could get a jump on the competition. This occurred several times and not once did my board members congratulate themselves or gloat. It was just a part of their way of doing business.

Those times we weren't "on the clock," their conversation turned excitedly to what was going on in the community, like new stores and restaurants opening in Peachtree City.

Conversations dealt with improvements to Falcon Field, widening Ga. Highway 54 from two lanes to four between Fayetteville and Peachtree City, bringing a community hospital here.

The talk was about Peachtree City, golf, Peachtree City, family, Peachtree City, business. These guys formed a fraternity of boosters and if you didn't feel the same way about whatever community you lived in, you would've thought they were nuts.

That group of volunteers loved every minute of what they did for their community and Peachtree City owes them a large debt of gratitude.

For many, perhaps most, of those who call Peachtree City home, it is their efforts in large part that brought you here.

Once upon a time, Peachtree City was named the Number One Place To Live In America by American Demographics magazine. I don't expect that to happen again anytime soon and that's a crying shame.

A once great little town taken over by a seeming insatiable need to back-bite and brow-beat outstanding citizens who have volunteered thousands of hours of their time. Perhaps bumper stickers can be produced stating, "The NEW Peachtree City - We Aspire to Mediocrity."

No amount of repeating a Big Lie insinuating that this group of volunteers benefited financially will ever make it true. A few people might be taken in by that, thinking where there's smoke, there's fire.

There are many of us who know better. Pish, most of this group could buy and sell most of us through their day jobs.

I would like to make this suggestion to the elected leadership of Peachtree City. Before your next comment to the press or voluminous letter to the editor or proclamation from council chambers, ask yourself, "Is this going to contribute to the benefit of the community in a positive way or is this going to make my community look common?"

If you cannot answer in the affirmative, I suggest you find a better way to stay in office. Make your community proud of you. Make your community proud of itself. Be a part of restoring Peachtree City to its previous greatness.

John Boothby

South Fulton Chamber of Commerce

jboothby (at) sfcoc.org

Fayette leaders failed to prepare for Delta woes

The year was 1998. Business was booming, the stock market soaring, and unemployment virtually nonexistent. Yes, we were fat, happy and full of ourselves.

So, what was the hot political debate in Fayette County, just seven years ago? Some elected officials were questioning whether the community really needed an ongoing economic development effort.

After all, we were an airport community. There was no need to bring additional jobs and career opportunities to Fayette. Life was great and the economy was limitless, or so they said.

I'll never forget the called meeting between the Fayette County Development Authority and County Commissioners. Fayette's former County Commission chairman was adamant that there was no need to expand the county's economic base.

In response, the FCDA chairman presented him with the total number of Delta employees living in Fayette and asked, "